in our tribe

Episode 98 | Season 10 with Jaime Lemus , Director of the Transportation and Climate Change Division at the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. In this episode, Jaime reflects on growing up in Salinas, California, and how witnessing the impact of pesticides on his family and community inspired his path into environmental science. He shares what it means to navigate imposter sy...

Episode 97 | Season 10 with Christina Andrade-Lemus, Director of Substance Use and Latinx Services at CommuniCare + OLE. Christina shares her work leading programs that support individuals and families on their journey toward recovery, healing, and overall well-being. She discusses the increasing need for substance use treatment and mental health services, and the importance of providing culturall...

Episode 96 | Season 10 with Wendy Aguilar, Media & Communications Specialist for the Office of the Chief at the Sacramento Fire Department. Wendy shares her journey from a curious child wondering how people fit inside a television screen to building a successful career in journalism, communications, and public service. She reflects on the power of storytelling, her passion for travel, and the lead...

Episode 95 of Season 10 features Gareth Love, Principal, and Jim Vetter, Visual Art Teacher at the Performing and Fine Arts Academy at Natomas Charter School, in a conversation about creativity, culture, and community through Hip Hop Goes Global. Now in its 11th year, Hip Hop Goes Global continues to bring together students, educators, artists, and the community through the many elements of hip ho...

Episode 94 | Season 10 with Giselle Garcia, Program Director at NorCal Resist, in a conversation rooted in community, humanity, and the values that sustain collective growth. Giselle shares how the strength of an organization comes from the people behind it—the commitment of her team, the support they give one another, and the shared belief that communities thrive when we move together. Through he...

Episode 93 | Season 10 with Cathy Rodriguez in a conversation rooted in leadership, community, and the power of connection. As President & CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cathy shares how strong, connected communities are the foundation for thriving businesses across the Sacramento region. From her upbringing to her leadership today, her journey reflects resilience, purpose, and a deep co...

Episode 92 | Season 10 with Francisco Castillo in a conversation rooted in authenticity, community, and purpose. From his childhood in Nicaragua and San Francisco to his work today as a community advocate and government relations leader in Sacramento, Francisco shares a journey shaped by family, service, and staying true to who he is. His story reflects a deep commitment to uplifting others while...

Recorded live at The Rink Studios as part of the Inspiración Speaker Series , we kick off Season 10 with a powerful opening conversation. Our first guest, Félix Contreras —NPR journalist and co-creator of Alt. Latino and Tiny Desk Concerts —joins us for a dialogue rooted in culture, identity, and storytelling. Widely respected for amplifying Latino voices in music and media, Félix shares insights...

Episode 90 features Chaez Boswell , owner and operator of The Rink Studios , in a conversation grounded in gratitude, purpose, and people-centered leadership. With an extensive background in youth development, Chaez brings a human-first lens to the entertainment and concert events industry —an industry not often known for prioritizing internal growth. He shares how he takes a non-traditional appro...

Episode 89 features Ashanti Branch—Founder and Executive Director of Ever Forward Club—in a conversation centered on healing, connection, and youth mental health. A former math teacher raised in Oakland by a single mom, Ashanti saw too many students ready to drop out—not because they lacked ability, but because they didn't feel safe, seen, or heard. Those moments shaped his life's work. Now a nati...

Episode 88 features  Dr. Tina Torres , Creciente Fellow and Director of the  K–16 Collaborative at Sacramento State , in a conversation rooted in truth, growth, and transformation. A high school dropout and teenage mom, Dr. Torres didn't begin her college journey until she was 30. She came up in difficult environments, often without steady support and in spaces where she felt out of place. Those e...

Join us for a powerful conversation with   Juan Novello , a nationally recognized Latinx leader, Vice President of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, among other leadership roles, and a proud Senior Fellow of the Creciente Latinx Leadership Program by YDN. Juan shares his journey, from his childhood and immigration to the U.S. to navigating life as a DACA recipient and becoming a proud U...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Misty Avila, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of the James B. McClatchy Foundation, whose work is bringing "sunshine" to California's Central Valley. ☀️ With over 15 years supporting nonprofits, Misty shares her journey from community organizing to funding initiatives that strengthen local journalism, multilingual education, and nonprofit leaders...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rudy Corpuz Jr., founder of United Playaz, a violence-prevention and youth leadership organization serving San Francisco's SoMa community. Since 1994, United Playaz has supported the city's hardest-to-reach youth through street outreach, case management, in-school services, recreational programs, and support for incarcerated young people. What began as Ru...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Carlos Kandia, a Sammie Award Winner and Artist of the Year recognized by the Midtown Association in Sacramento, California. A multi-genre singer, percussionist, dancer, actor, business owner, nonprofit leader, teacher, and father, Kandia has built an artistic career spanning over 15 years. Originally from Colombia, he has shared the stage with internationa...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Armoni Easley, a Social Impact Entrepreneur and Empowerment Facilitator with over 16 years of experience making a difference in communities. As the Co-founder of Project Optimism, Inc., Armoni has helped shape the lives of thousands of youth through mentorship and leadership programs that foster growth, resilience, and purpose. Building on that success, h...

In this episode of In Our Tribe, we're honored to welcome Lydia Ramirez, EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Five Star Bank. A corporate trailblazer and inclusive thought leader, she shares her journey through the financial sector, her passion for empowering women in leadership, and her commitment to creating space for Latinx voices. Named one of ALPFA's 50 Most Powerful Latinas and a member of the...

In this episode of In Our Tribe, we welcome Sergio Robles — Vice Mayor of Elk Grove, Senior Fellow of YDN's Creciente Latinx Leadership Program, and member of the National Guard. Sergio opens up about his path to leadership, the lessons he's learned along the way, and the importance of creating space for Latinx voices in our communities. It's a thoughtful and uplifting conversation about service,...

We are so excited to share in this episode the important work that Afripeace from Sacramento is doing to provide life transforming experiences for youth through a cultural exchange program. The Youth Peace and Cultural Education Program aims to promote global education and conflict resolution among the youth through exchanges between US and African youth. The year- long conflict resolution orienta...

This episode is for all of our fellow hip-hop heads and aficionados! Paul  WIllis  has been in the lab in Boston assembling his latest and greatest work, titled Hip Hop Leadership. Hip Hop Leadership is an album, book, and curriculum that focuses on 10 core values of hip hop leadership. We are proud to endorse Hip Hop Leadership as an absolute must have for youth developers, and leaders world-wide...

In episode 78 Adrian sits down with Clarissa  Laguardia, Executive Director of The California Center for Civic Participation to chat about the importance of youth voice and leadership in the civic arena.,  Clarissa  also shares her lens on leading during these interesting times and the importance of creating and staying in community.  

For the third installment of the Creciente Leadership Inspiración Series, Adrian is joined by author, actor, and owner of the largest collection of Chicano Art: Cheech Marin. Adrian and Cheech discuss his history with the arts, the importance of the Chicano Movement, and how we make sure we show up for ourselves and our community. 

In this episode of in our tribe Adrian sits down with leadership extraordinaire Doni Blumenstock to discuss her journey as a leader of leaders and what is needed now more than ever to lead in this brave New World.

Have you heard about the amazing work being done by The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) that is fighting to protect the first amendment by building a vibrant local free press? CVJC Executive Director, Alma Martinez and Executive Editor, Joe Kieta join Adrian to discuss how they are bringing real news back and engaging the community in their efforts to ensure the people of the Centra...

In episode 74 we are joined by two of Sacramento's Cohort 3 Changemakers and Senior Fellows of Creciente, a YDN Latinx leadership program. Tune in to hear what Monica and Armando have to say about creating and inspiring change throughout the Sacramento region and what being recognized for their efforts means to both of them. ¡Adelante!